THE BEACON - Electronic Edition - 3/7/06
“Have Me Excused”
Dear Preacher,
You often stress attendance at worship as important. But I think a fellow has a right to miss now and then. I think I should be excused for the following reasons:
Christmas - (it comes only once a year) ...... 1
New Year - (I need to start off rested) ...... 1
July 41h - (National Holiday) ...... 1
Labor Day - (Bible commands one day of rest) . . . . . 1
Memorial Day - (1 state holiday) ...... 1
School closing - (kids need a break) ...... 1
School beginning - (last chance of summer) ...... 1
Family Reunions - (my family, my wife's) ...... 2
Out-of-town games - (We support the team) ...... 5
Tournaments - (H.S., college, tennis and golf) . . . . . 4
Anniversary - (Our second honeymoon) ...... 1
Sickness - (1 for each family member) ...... 5
Business trips - (A fella must make a living) ...... 3
Vacation - (Only 2 weeks, but 3 weekends) ...... 3
Bad weather - (ice, rain, snow, hail etc.) ...... 5
Tennessee Titans games ...... 4
Unexpected company –
(Can't walk out, they didn't bring clothes)...... 2
Alarm clock didn't go off - (not my fault) ...... 2
Time change –
(spring forward, fall back; I never get that right) . . . 2
House and car repair –
(Who can afford plumbers and mechanics) ...... 2
Special on TV - (continuing education) ...... 1
Total . . . . 50
So, preacher, that only leaves two Sundays per year. We'll see you Easter for sure and the third Sunday in August unless providentially hindered.
Signed: "FAITHFUL MEMBER"
(- via Bulletin Digest)
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No Reason To Believe The Atheists . . .
If the solar system was brought about by an accidental collision, then the appearance of organic life on this planet was also an accident, and the whole evolution of man was an accident too.
If so, then all our present thoughts are mere accidents – the accidental by-product of the movement of atoms. And this holds for the thoughts of the materialists and astronomers as well as for anyone else’s.
But if their thoughts – i.e., of Materialism and Astronomy – are merely accidental by-products, why should we believe them to be true? I see no reason for believing that one accident should be able to give me a correct account of all the other accidents.
It’s like expecting that the accidental shape taken by the splash when you upset a milk-jug should give you a correct account of how the jug was made and why it was upset.
- by C.S. Lewis
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How God in His Providence Helps His People
God is on our side when we are on His! The message to His church is that "God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, But when you are tempted, He also will provide a way out so that you can stand up under it" (1st Corinthians 10:13 NIV). What sort of help does the Lord give us to make escape from temptation possible? The Scripture points to everyday spiritual blessings that we must never take for granted. Here are just a few...
His word guides us and teaches us how to live. “All Scripture is God-breathed, and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2nd Timothy 3:16-17).
The way of prayer brings our requests before Him. He was "tempted in every way, just as we are --- yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" (Hebrews 4:15-16).
The willpower we have is strengthened in Him. “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:12-13).
We walk with other Christians to encourage us. "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another --- and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25).
His work gives our lives certainty and purpose. "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain" (1st Corinthians 15:57-58).
- by Robert Hines
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Calvinists Caught In A Trap
There is the idea, taught by Calvinists, that Jesus only died for certain specific individuals. They typically refer to these as “the elect.” Furthermore, it is argued that God “irresistibly” draws these people to Himself. And, finally, that these “elect” ones, having thus been drawn to salvation, will be saved regardless of what they do. One famous quote from a Baptist preacher states it this way:
"We take the position that a Christian's sins do not damn his soul! The way a Christian lives, what he says, his character, his conduct, or his attitude toward other people have nothing whatever to do with the salvation of his soul. . . and all the sins he may commit from idolatry to murder will not make his soul in any more danger. . . The way a man lives has nothing whatever to do with the salvation of his soul." *
There are lots of ways to answer this false doctrine, but here is a simple approach that works:
1. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said: "If ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matthew 6:14,15)
2. Calvinists would have to argue that Jesus was speaking to “elect” individuals, because He indicated that God would forgive their trespasses.
3. But, LOOK, Jesus also indicated that these same people might NOT have their sins forgiven if they refused to forgive others.
4. So, here is a text that catches the Calvinists in a trap:
a) If these were really among the “elect,” it would not matter if they forgave others, because God would have to save them anyway – but the text says He will not.
b) If these were not among the “elect,” then God would not forgive them under any circumstance – but the text say He will.
* Sam Morris, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Stamford, Texas, as quoted in The Possibility of Apostasy, by C. R. Nichol, pg. 74
- by Greg Gwin
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Trends . . .
Here's how 119 of the 132 Tennessee senators and House members responded in a survey when asked if the Tennessee Constitution should ban gay marriage:
• House: 41 of the 89 surveyed supported a constitutional ban, 25 opposed it, and 21 were unsure or did not respond directly yes or no. Two said they support the right of gays to marry. (There are 99 House members, and it takes 50 votes to give the measure the constitutional majority it needs to pass.)
• Senate: 13 of the 30 interviewed said they supported a constitutional ban, seven opposed it, and 10 were unsure or did not directly say yes or no. Three senators did not respond to the survey. None advocated allowing gays to marry. (There are 33 members of the Senate, and 17 votes are required to pass the amendment this year.)
- via The Nashville Tennessean
Matthew 19:4-5 ". . . he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?"
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Some quotes worth pondering . . .
“Christians are like coals of fire: together they glow, apart they die out.”
“Integrity means being good when nobody is looking.”
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News from Collegevue . . .
March 5, 2006
Good morning. Welcome! We thank God for the privilege of assembling today, and we pray that He will be pleased and honored by what we do in these services. If you are visiting with us today, we extend a special greeting to you. We hope you will come again soon.
Continue to pray for those who are sick, including Suzette Haley, Alvin Lunn, Tina Overton, Hubert Morrow, Warren Cook, Libby Tate, Clem & Norma Goodman, Buddy Hood, Melissa Deason Gibson and her baby, Scott Futrells’ wife, and others. Also remember the brothers of Jennifer Ring and Timothy Nolan as they serve in the army in Iraq.
Attention men: Please sign up to help with the grass mowing duties this summer. Dale Lindsey coordinates this work, and he needs as many volunteers as possible.
Don’t forget “The Virtual Bible Study” on Thursday nights at 8pm. Log on to hear the program at BibleStudy.com.
Many thanks to those of you who help with the “chores” around here: cleaning the building, preparing the communion, making repairs, doing maintenance. We know that others might view these as insignificant, but we don’t. We depend upon good folks like you. Keep up the good work!
We’re moving into “gospel meeting season”. Watch the bulletin board for good opportunities to visit nearby congregations and hear important Bible lessons.
Figures for the week of 2/19/06: Sunday, Bstudy, 126; AM, 140; PM, 121; Wed., 115; Contrib., $3701
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"The Beacon - Electronic Edition" is sent out weekly from Columbia, TN, and contains articles and information taken from the most recent "paper" bulletin of the Collegevue Church of Christ. We hope you will use this material in any way you can that will glorify our Father. Please give proper credit to the respective authors.
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